Reigning Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton predicts Mercedes will continue their dominance of the sport for at least another year.
Hamilton took out a third world title in 2015 — going back-to-back with Mercedes after triumphing with McLaren in 2008. Team-mate Nico Rosberg was second last season as Mercedes clinched the constructors' championship by 275 points.
The German manufacturer finished on the front row of the grid in 12 of the 19 races in 2015, and 11 out of the 19 races in 2014. Mercedes have also dominated qualifying, with only two races out of the past 38 having someone other than Hamilton or Rosberg starting from first place.
And Hamilton expects more of the same in 2016. "There is at least another year of this strength we have," Hamilton told Autosport. "Of course there is a slight unknown because the car can shift. It could dip. But we have a much, much stronger foundation in this team and that is not going to be the case. I'm so confident that is not going to be the case."
As for his own performances, Hamilton said there are still things he can improve on. "I don't think you are ever performing at peak level all the time. You have dips," he said. "I was at a peak for a long time during the year, and then I had three so-so races at the end.
"I still drove pretty well and didn't make any mistakes. But in not being at 100 per cent, the good thing is there are improvements that can be made for next year.
I don't think you are ever performing at peak level all the time. You have dips.
"I'd like to think that each year you grow, not only as a human being, but as a sportsman. I'm hoping the way I apply myself this winter will be on the back of having learned from last winter.
"The struggles I've had physically and mentally, hopefully I can rectify those. I'm hoping I should be stronger [in 2016]. I'm still relatively young, so at the moment I only see a mountain which I'm willing to climb."
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